Review: Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Summary:

Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have a tendency to fall apart.

She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. Her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?

Rich with emotion, Sarah Ockler delivers a powerful story of family, love, and self-discovery.

Information:
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: December 1, 2010
Pages: 320
Source: Bought.
Goodreads page here.

Review:

Delilah's life isn't what it used to be. She isn't getting good grades anymore. She can't seem to find a "good" boyfriend, and her mother will not discuss what caused her family to fall apart. That all changes when one phone call delivers news that her grandmother died. Delilah and her mother are forced to go to Red Falls to sort out the estate and plan the funeral. What happens is something Delilah does not expect - she has a summer of fun, new friendships, romance, and family.

I devoured Ockler's first novel, Twenty Boy Summer. I read it in a day and completely fell in love with the way Ockler can writes o beautifully. Fixing Delilah was no different. Ockler brought to us a new set of characters that were as amazing as her first.

Delilah and Patrick were a good pair. Ockler is good at not rushing romance, but letting it just set in gradually, which is something I enjoy and do not find a lot in young adult. Ockler also focuses on the Hannafords as a family. And a true family at that - they are a family with secrets and lies, like any other family. She displays them wonderfully. They have conversations that mirror conversations I've had with my parents at some points.

As far as characters go, the only thing I wish is this: Delilah is kind of "me me me me" ish. Everything is about her. If Ockler didn't have her this way, it would be easier to see a change in the other family members. When readers get to the end, it's kind of like, oh my goodness, where did this change come from? Other than that, the characters and relationships are wonderful.

One other little note, too. I also loved the setting. It was so summer-y and fun. :)

Overall, the book is a must read. I loved it! I can't wait to see what Ockler comes up with next.

Grade: A+.